Spirit vial assembly with improved vial aligning means

ABSTRACT

A spirit vial assembly is provided which includes a frame comprising an elongated channel having parallel side walls and a connecting web extending transversely between the side walls. The side walls and the web form a recess. A transparent cover member is provided which includes a plurality of members which project from the inner surface thereof into the recess. An elongated vial is provided which is disposed between the projecting members. The web has a projection which abuts the outer surface of the vial centrally of the longitudinal extent thereof. The vial is pivotable about the web projection to enable adjustment of the alignment of the vial with respect to the web to enable the horizontal orientation thereof.

United States Patent [1 1 Ostrager SPIRIT VIAL ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED VIAL ALIGNING MEANS [76] Inventor: Seymour A. Ostrager, 1188 Grand Concourse, Bronx, N.Y.

[22] Filed: Apr. 30, 1971 [211 Appl. No.: 139,108

Related 0.8. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No. 79,937, Oct. 12,

[451 July 24, 1073 1,129,785 2/1915 Bracey 33/214 1,177,131 3/1916 Neidl 764,092 7/1904 Wilcox 33/214 [57] ABSTRACT A spirit vial assembly is provided which includes a frame comprising an elongated channel having parallel side walls and a connecting web extending transversely between the side walls. The side walls and the web form a recess. A transparent cover member is provided which includes a plurality of members which project from the inner surface thereof into the recess. An elongated vial is provided which is disposed between the projecting'members, The web has a projection which abuts the outer surface of the vial centrally of the longitudinal extent thereof. The vial is pivotable about the web projection to enable adjustment of the alignment of the vial with respect to the web to enable the hori- 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures [52] US. Cl 33/371, 33/382, 33/383, 33/385 {51] Int. Cl Glc 9/28 [58] Field of Search 33/207, 211, 213, 33/214 [56] References Cited- UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,061,638 /1913 Scott et a1 33/214 2,729,896 1/1956 Rosenblum..... 33/214 703,306 6/1902 Roe 33 211 Zoma; orientation th f 2,770,888 11/1956 Von Duyke. 33/211 3,213,545 /1965 Wright 33/211 X2 8 8/ scl flrsr 38 8 Z l Zll //%%'/7 %$l l %%%/7/ V SPIRIT VIAL ASSEMBLY WITH IMPROVED VIAL ALIGNING MEANS This invention relates generally to spirit vial assemblies and is a continuation in part of my co-pending U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 79,937 for Spirit Vial Assembly With Self-Aligning Vial Means filed on Oct. l2, 1970. The invention relates specifically to a Spirit Vial Assembly With Improved Vial Aligning Means which facilitates alignment of vials in a vial assembly.

Because of the physical configuration of spirit vials, inexpensive vial assemblies are very inaccurate. That is, the spirit vial is normally of the type which is arcuately formed so that the spirit vial includes a longitudinally extending concave surface and a longitudinally extending convex surface which are disposed on diametrically opposed sides of the outer surfaces of the vial. The convex surface of the spirit vial is, of course, disposed upwardly and the concave surface is disposed on the lowerm ost surface of the spirit vial so that the bubble in the spirit vial is caused to be at thecenter of the top of the vial if the spirit vial is disposed substantially horizontally. One of the problems, however, in forming a spirit vial is that it is difficult to maintain uniformity of the radius of the arcuate surface between the normal end wall of the vial and the cylindrical side wall. That is, this arcuate end surface can vary considerably in radius so that when the lowermost surface of the spirit vial abuts a horizontal surface, the vial is not necessarily accurately aligned to determine the horizontal orientation of the assembly due to the fact that the radius at each end of the vial may vary from each other. In most cases, the radii at each end are different and, therefore, the spirit vial is not aligned when it is placed on the horizontal surface.

Due to this variation in radius at the ends of the spirit vial, adjusting means must normally be provided with an arcuate type spirit vial in order to assure that there is alignment for determining horizontal orientation. However, prior adjusting means have added considerably to the cost of making the spirit vial assembly since they require expensive aligning means as well as requiring a considerable amount of time to made the adjustments.

In my aforementioned co-pending application, a new and improved spirit vial assembly is shown which includes means for self-aligning the spirit vial. These means comprise a pair of projections provided on the web of the frame of the spirit vial assembly which abut the lowermost surface of the vial adjacent the ends thereof but spaced inwardly of the outermost arcuate surface. While my Spirit Vial Assembly With Self- Aligning Vial Means has proved to be satisfactory with frames having very close tolerances, it has been found that the alignment of the vial is considerably altered by the slightest misalignment of the frame.

lt is, therefore, an object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages of spirit vial assemblies having a vial adjusting means.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved spirit vial assembly having improved vial adjusting means.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved spirit vial assembly which includes means for enabling the adjustment of the alignment of vials which can be used by unskilled workers and which adds little expense to the manufacturer of the spirit vial assembly.

These and other objects of the invention are achieved by providing a spirit vial assembly which includes a frame comprising an elongated channel having parallel side walls and a connecting web which extends transversely between the side walls. The sidewalls and the web form a recess. A transparent cover member is provided which includes a plurality of members which project from the inner surface thereof into the recess. An enlongated vial is provided which is disposed between the projecting members. The web has a projection which abuts the outer surface of the vial centrally of the longitudinal extent thereof. The vial is pivotable about the web projection to enable adjustment of the alignment of the vial with respect to the web to enable the horizontal orientation thereof.

Other objects and many of the attendant advantages 7 of this invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the spirit vial assembly embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 22 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view taken along the line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the line 5-5 with the spirit vial shown in full.

Referring now in greater detail to the various figures of the drawing wherein similar reference numerals refer to similar parts, a spirit vial assembly embodying the invention is shown generally at 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The spirit vial assembly basically comprises a cover member 22, a frame 24 and a pair of spirit vials 26 and 28. The cover member 22 is transparent and is preferably comprised of a moldable thermoplastic such as lucite. The cover member is substantially rectangular and planar and includes a pair of depending rectangular end flanges 30 and 32.

Provided inwardly of and also depending from the top wall of the cover member 22 are a pair of cylindrical projections 34 and 36. Each of the projections 34 includes a vertically extending opening 38 which extends through the entire projection and the top surface of the cover member 22. As will be seen hereinafter,

. the opening 38 acts to receive a threaded member for securing the frame 24 to the cover member 22.

Also depending from the lower innermost surface of the cover member 22 are a plurality of pin like projections 40, 42, 44, 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54. The projections 40 and 42 act to position laterally, in conjunction with pin 44, the vial 26. As best seen in FIG. 1, pin 44 is of an elongated cross-section and acts to position both the vial 26 and the vial 28. In addition to pin 44, pins 46, 48, 50, 52 and 54 act to position the vial 28 against lateral movement.

Each of the pins 40 through 54 includes a longitudinally extending laterally projecting nib 56. It should be noted that the nibs 56 are provided at the positions on the pins at which the pins contact the side walls of the vials 26 and 28. The small nibs enable a slight give in the material due to the small cross-sectional area thereof so that when the vials are pressed between their associated pins, there is give at the nib. That is, the nibs deform in order to accomodate the vials.

As best seen in FIG. 4, the frame 24 which is preferably comprised of extruded aluminum includes a pair of side walls 60 and 62, a transversely extending web 64 and a pair of elongated depending flanges 66 and 68. The web 64 is closely spaced from the lowermost surface of the side wall. The flanges 66 and 68 depend to and the bottom edges thereof are aligned with the lowermost surface of the side walls 60 and 62.

The web 64 and the side walls 60 and 62 act to provide a recess into which the vials 26 and 28 flt. On the lowermost surface of the web 64 between the projections 66 and 68, a recess is defined which acts to receive a magnetic tape 70 which is preferably secured to the lowermost surface of the web by a pressure sensitive adhesive which enables the spirit vial assembly to be secured to any ferromagnetic surface.

As also best seen in FIG. 4, the cover member 22 includes a pair of hook members 72 and 74. Hook members 72 and 74 project upwardly from the top surface of the cover 22 at opposite ends and, as best seen in FIG. 1, the hook members extend from opposite lateral sides of the cover member.

Each of the hook members is generally triangularly shaped and includes a cut out portion which defines a U-shaped recess 73 from the accommodation of a string. It should be noted that recesses 73 are aligned with openings 38 in the cover member 22. The alignment of openings 38 with the recesses 73 in the hook members facilitates molding of the cover member 22.

The hook members 72 and 74 are utilized in combination with string in order to determine whether the string is oriented horizontally. The bottommost surface of the frame 26, that is, the lowermost surfaces of the side walls 60 and 62 and the bottommost surface of flanges 66 and 68 provide a flat surface for the magnetic vial assembly which is utilized to be placed on a planar surface for determining the horizontal orientation thereof. It should be noted that the web 64 is parallel to the surface formed by the plane extending through the lowermost edges of the side walls 60 and 62 and the flanges 66 and 68.

The vials 26 and 28 are both of the type that are cylindrical in cross-section and arcuately shaped longitudinally. The bend of the arcuate longitudinal axis of the vials is circular with the radius of curvature being approximately 4 feet. It can, therefore, be seen that the topmost surface 76 of both vials 26 and 28 is convex whereas the bottommost surface 78 of each of the vials 26 and 28 is concave in the longitudinal direction. The topmost and bottommost surfaces are, of course, diametrically opposed from each other.

The longitudinally extending surfaces 76 of the vials are disposed against the bottom surface of the cover memeber 22.

The bottommost surface 78 of the vials are disposed against a pair of projections 80 which are provided in the web 64 of the frame 24 centrally of the longitudinal extent of each of the vials and which abut the lowermost surface thereof. As best seen in FIG. 2, the location of the projection 80 with respect to vial 28 is such that the vial may be pivoted about the projection which acts as a fulcrum for the adjustment thereof. The projection 80 below vial 26 is similarly positioned.

The cover member 22 further includes two pairs of openings 81 which are provided in the top wall of the cover member 22 adjacent the ends of vials 26 and 28. That is, openings 81 adjacent vial 26 are provided adjacent the end walls of vial 26 as are the openings 81 provided adjacent vial 28. As best seen in FIG. 2, a pin 83 can be moved in the direction of arrow 85 through opening 81 to cause the pivoting of the vial about the projection 80. Similarly, the pin 83 can also be extended through opening 81 at the other end of vial 28 if the vial has been urged too far in the counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 2. about projection 80.

Provided on the top surface of the web 24, are a plurality of adhesive masses 87. The adhesive masses are applied to the web 24 in liquid form prior to the placement of the vials 26 and 28 adjacent thereto. The adhesive masses are adapted to dry in a short period of time and secure the vial to the web in a predetermined alignment with respect thereto. Thus, after the pin 83 has been utilized to horizontally align the vials 26 and 28 with respect to the web by pivoting the same about the projection 80 the adhesive masses 87 are allowed to dry thereby fixedly securing the vials with respect to the webs and thereby preventing any further movement with respect thereto.

As best seen in FIG. 2, the projections 80 are formed by impressions made in the lowermost surface of the web 64 of frame 24. Provided at each end of the frame through the web 64 are openings 82 through which a pair of self-tapping fasteners 84 extend for securing the frame 24 to the cover member 22. The openings 38 in cylindrical projections 34 and 36 act to receive the threaded fasteners 84 and enable securement of the frame to the cover member. The magnetic strip is provided over the ends of the threaded fasteners and the portion of the web 64 between flanges 66 and 68. The magnetic strip is preferably secured to the web by a suitable pressure sensitive adhesive which is conventionally provided on one flat surface thereof.

As best seen in FIG. 5, when the bottommost surface of the frame and, thus, web 64 are horizontally oriented, the bubble 84 in each of the spirit vials 26 and 28 is centered between the centering lines 86 of the spirit vials 26 and 28.

As set forth above, the projections abut the lowermost surface of the vials 26 and 28 centrally along the longitudinal extent thereof. It should be noted that the projections 80 act to space the arcuate ends 90 of the spirit vials from the web. As also set forth above, the arcuate ends 90 tend to be varied in radius due to the method by which the spirit vials are formed. Accordingly by spacing the arcuate ends of the vials from the web 24, the vials are easily aligned with respect to the horizontal by pivoting the vials over the projection by the insertion of a pin through the openings 81 provided adjacent each of the vials 26 and 28 in the cover member 22.

It should be noted that the spirit vials 26 and 28 extend transversely with respect to each other. However, both are adapted to measure the horizontal orientation of the web in the same plane. That is, the spirit vial 26 acts to determine the horizontal orientation of the transverse direction of the plane through which web 64 extends whereas the vial 28 determines the horizontal orientation of the longitudinal direction of the plane through web 64.

It can therefore be seen that a new and improved spirit vial assembly has been provided with improved alignment means. It should be noted that the cover member 22 is easily assembled to the frame 22 with the vials 26 and 28 held in place by pins 40 through 52. The adhesive masses 87 are applied to the surface of the web prior to the securement of the cover member to the frame and the vials are then aligned with respect to a horizontal orientation whereupon the adhesive 87 is allowed to dry and thereby fixedly secure the vials 26 and 28 in substantially perfect alignment.

Without further elaboration, the foregoing will so fully illustrate my invention that others may, by applying current or future knowledge readily adapt the same for use under various conditions of service.

What is claimed as'the invention is:

l. A spirit vial assembly including a frame comprising an elongated channel having parallel sidewalls and a connecting web extending transversely between said sidewalls, said sidewalls and said web forming a recess, a transparent cover member, said cover member including a plurality of members projecting from the inner surface thereof into said recess, an elongated vial including a pair of ends, said vial being disposed between said projecting members, said web having a projection which abuts the outer surface of said vial centrally of said ends and a pair of adhesive masses each of which being disposed on said web and in contact with a respective end of said vial for directly supporting said end, said masses being initially liquid and thereafter solidifying, said cover includes a pair of openings which are adjacent the top surface of said vial, said openings permitting a pin to be extended therethrough for pivoting said vial about said web projection while said masses are liquid to enable adjustmentof the alignment of said vial with respect to said web to enable the horizontal orientation thereof and once said masses have solidified said vial being fixed with respect to said web.

2. The spirit vial assembly of claim 1 and further including a second vial which is mounted in said assembly between the inner surface of said cover member and a second web projection which abuts said second vial centrally thereof to enable adjustment of said second via].

3. The spirit vial assembly of claim 2 wherein said second vial extends transversely with respect to said first vial.

4. The spirit vial assembly of claim 1 wherein said cover member includes a pair of hook members which are adapted to engage a string to determine horizontal orientation thereof.

5. The spirit vial assembly of claim 4 wherein said cover member includes a pair of openings adjacent the ends thereof, each of said openings adjacent said ends being aligned with a recess in said hook members, said openings accommodating a threaded fastener for securing said frame to said cover member.

6. The spirit vial assembly of claim 1 wherein said frame includes a pair of longitudinally extending flanges which are spaced inwardly of said side walls but extend from the bottom surface of said web, said flanges and said web forming a recess, and a magnetic strip, said magnetic strip being secured to said web between said flanges in said recess.

7. The spirit vial assembly of claim 1 and further including a second vial which is mounted in said assembly between the inner surface of said cover member and a second web projection which abuts said second vial centrally thereof to enable adjustment of said second vial, said cover member including a plurality of openings, a pair of openings being provided adjacent each of said vials so that each of said vials may be pivoted about said projection by a pin extending through said openings. 

1. A spirit vial assembly including a frame comprising an elongated channel having parallel sidewalls and a connecting web extending transversely between said sidewalls, said sidewalls and said web forming a recess, a transparent cover member, said cover member including a plurality of members projecting from the inner surface thereof into said recess, an elongated vial including a pair of ends, said vial being disposed between said projecting members, said web having a projection which abuts the outer surface of said vial centrally of said ends and a pair of adhesive masses each of which being disposed on said web and in contact with a respective end of said vial for directly supporting said end, said masses being initially liquid and thereafter solidifying, said cover includes a pair of openings which are adjacent the top surface of said vial, said openings permitting a pin to be extended therethrough for pivoting said vial about said web projection while said masses are liquid to enable adjustment of the alignment of said vial with respect to said web to enable the horizontal orientation thereof and once said masses have solidified said vial being fixed with respect to said web.
 2. The spirit vial assembly of claim 1 and further including a second vial which is mounted in said assembly between the inner surface of said cover member and a second web projection which abuts said second vial centrally thereof to enable adjustment of said second vial.
 3. The spirit vial assembly of claim 2 wherein said second vial extends transversely with respect to said first vial.
 4. The spirit vial assembly of claim 1 wherein said cover member includes a pair of hook members which are adapted to engage a string to determine horizontal orientation thereof.
 5. The spirit vial assembly of claim 4 wherein said cover member includes a pair of openings adjacent the ends thereof, each of said openings adjacent said ends being aligned with a recess in said hook members, said openings accommodating a threaded fastener for securing said frame to said cover member.
 6. The spirit vial assembly of claim 1 wherein said frame includes a pair of longitudinally extending flanges which are spaced inwardly of said side walls but extend from the bottom surface of said web, said flanges and said web forming a recess, and a magnetic strip, said magnetic strip being secured to said web between said flanges in said recess.
 7. The spirit vial assembly of claim 1 and further including a second vial which is mounted in said assembly between the inner surface of said cover member and a second web projection which abuts said second vial centrally thereof to enable adjustment of said second vial, said cover member including a plurality of openings, a pair of openings being provided adjacent each of said vials so that each of said vials may be pivoted about said projection by a pin extending through said openings. 